Panthers coach Ivan Cleary reveals reason he made shock decision to sideline Sunia Turuva against the Cowboys
- Cleary says he suspended Turuva due to mental exhaustion
- Turuva signed a three-year contract with the Tigers this week
- Winger will leave the Panthers at the end of this year
Penrith Panthers coach Ivan Cleary has revealed he has left Sunia Turuva aside for Saturday night’s match against the Cowboys as his contract negotiations had taken an emotional toll on the youngster.
Earlier this week, the Tigers confirmed they had signed the 21-year-old winger to a three-year deal starting next year, worth an estimated $1.3 million.
Just hours before Penrith took the field against the Cowboys, Turuva was dropped and replaced by Paul Alamoti.
“Sunia didn’t play mainly because he was busy with his contract decision and still negotiating,” Cleary said.
“So it was something that had been going on for a few weeks. I don’t think people fully understand how much that can take from someone, especially a young man with such a big decision.
Ivan Cleary (pictured) has revealed he has sidelined Sunia Turuva for the match against the Cowboys as contract negotiations had taken an emotional toll on the youngster
Earlier this week, the Tigers confirmed they had signed the 21-year-old winger on a three-year deal starting next year
‘Not only professionally, but also emotionally. That’s why we gave him the night off.
“He’ll be back next week.”
Turuva becomes the latest high-profile Panther to join the Tigers, following the arrival of Apisai Koroisau last year and Luai’s deal starting in 2025.
Brent Naden and Charlie Staines are among other former Penrith players at the joint venture.
Turuva had indicated last month his preference was to stay at Penrith, where he was the NRL rookie of the year in the club’s premiership series last season.
‘I want to be part of this team. It’s a special group we have here, regardless of who steps into the jersey,” Turuva said at the time.
‘I just want to be part of this club.
“I left it up to my manager and Penrith to organize all that stuff. But I’ve said it before: Penrith is home. This is where I want to be.’
The talented Fiji international becomes the latest high-profile Panther to join the Tigers
But the Panthers were unable to offer the Fiji international the same money he could earn elsewhere, and Penrith were unwilling to give in to their offer of $350,000 a year to remain on the wing.
As a fullback growing up, it is likely that Turuva will remain on the wing for the Tigers, where rising star Jahream Bula will pilot the No. 1 jersey.
Turuva’s move to the Tigers means St George Illawarra has missed the match after the 21-year-old faced the Dragons earlier this month.
With Zac Lomax leaving the Red V at the end of this year, Turuva was seen as an option to replace him on the Dragons wing.
Turuva is the NRL’s equal try scorer in the first seven rounds, with eight in six matches.
He scored 12 in his rookie season in 2023.